Two fallen Korean War veterans make their way home

By Cassie Smith

Published 9:31 am, Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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Kristan Kunk and others watch the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on South Main Street in Lumberton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Kristan Kunk and others watch the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on South Main Street in Lumberton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Benedict, left, and paramedics John Boleyn, center, and Lance Dempsey fold up a large American flag after it flew to honor Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. The remains of Corporal Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Benedict, left, and paramedics John Boleyn, center, and Lance Dempsey fold up a large American flag after it flew to honor Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. The remains of ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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Lumberton ISD students lined the roads Tuesday morning to honor two fallen Korean War veterans returning homes after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Lumberton ISD students lined the roads Tuesday morning to honor two fallen Korean War veterans returning homes after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

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Cpl. William Aaron Newton was taken Tuesday morning from Houston to Broussard's Mortuary in Kountze. The fallen Korean War veteran was returned home, decades after his passing. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie less

Cpl. William Aaron Newton was taken Tuesday morning from Houston to Broussard's Mortuary in Kountze. The fallen Korean War veteran was returned home, decades after his passing. Photo by Cassie ... more

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Picasa

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Students and faculty line Raider Lane on Tuesday morning to honor Corporal William Aaron Newton. The remains of Corporal Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Students and faculty line Raider Lane on Tuesday morning to honor Corporal William Aaron Newton. The remains of Corporal Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Julie Hughes, left, and Sue Johnson talk before Tuesday morning's procession. The remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Julie Hughes, left, and Sue Johnson talk before Tuesday morning's procession. The remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Firefighters snag the bottom of a flag after it flew from an extended ladder in honor of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. The remains of Corporal Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Firefighters snag the bottom of a flag after it flew from an extended ladder in honor of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. The remains of Corporal Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Rae Moffitt and others wait along South Main Street in Lumberton for the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Rae Moffitt and others wait along South Main Street in Lumberton for the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Miniature flags line the side of South Main Street in Lumberton on Tuesday. The remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Miniature flags line the side of South Main Street in Lumberton on Tuesday. The remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Harold Sherill, a member of the American Legion, looks back down County Lane Road after watching the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Harold Sherill, a member of the American Legion, looks back down County Lane Road after watching the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Wendy Trahan holds an American flag as the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on Country Lane Drive on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Wendy Trahan holds an American flag as the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on Country Lane Drive on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Andrew Hays, 4, and others hold American flags as they wait alongside South Main Street in Lumberton for the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Andrew Hays, 4, and others hold American flags as they wait alongside South Main Street in Lumberton for the procession accompanying the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. Newton, who died ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Wendy Trahan holds an American flag as the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on Country Lane Drive on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession traveled from Houston to Kountze, via Beaumont and Lumberton.
Photo taken
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Wendy Trahan holds an American flag as the remains of Corporal William Aaron Newton pass by on Country Lane Drive on Tuesday. Newton, who died while serving in the Korean War, returned to southeast Texas on ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 41 of 49

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

People line the streets as two fallen Korean War veterans return home after decades of serving. Photo by Cassie Smith/@smithcassie

Photo: Cassie Smith

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Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton High School students wait for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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Lumberton High School students prepare American flags for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton High School students prepare American flags for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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Lumberton High School students hold American flags for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton High School students hold American flags for the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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A small group of people stand at Games People Play on Tuesday to witness the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

A small group of people stand at Games People Play on Tuesday to witness the funeral procession of Cpl. William Aaron Newton on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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The funeral procession for Cpl. William Aaron Newton passes in front of Lumberton High School on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family. Brailey Smith holds an American flag as the procession passes.
Photo taken Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

The funeral procession for Cpl. William Aaron Newton passes in front of Lumberton High School on Tuesday. A POW from the Korean War, Newton's remains were recently identified and returned to his family. Brailey ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Two fallen Korean War veterans make their way home

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Hands over their hearts, American flags in their hands, Southeast Texans stood with one of their neighbors - the daughter of a Korean War veteran - as her father and another soldier were returned to their hometowns Tuesday for burials.

Lumberton student Matthew Dunham, 13, stood along the streets with his classmates as they watched the procession - surrounded by the Patriot Guard Riders and many law enforcement agencies - for Cpl. William Aaron Newton.

Returning U.S. service members reported that Newton had been captured by the Chinese and died in February 1951, while held as a prisoner of war.

Newton's remains were returned to the United States in 1954 but classified as unidentifiable, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Advances in technology coupled with DNA science enabled his recent identification.

The remains of Newton and another POW, Jerry P. Craig, arrived at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston about 7 a.m. Tuesday and were escorted through Southeast Texas. Newton made his way to Broussard's Mortuary in Kountze and Craig to Lake Charles for his burial in Leesville, La.

Newton's graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Sour Lake.

Lumberton Superintendent John Valastro said every member of the school district is considered family, and that includes Bullock, who works at the middle school.

"It's really a miracle that after 63 years they found his remains and were able to identify it and give her some peace knowing he's finally home," Valastro said.

As 14-year-old Mason Weaver chimed in with a group of students singing praise for Bullock, he said he has a long list of family members who are serving the country in the military. Tuesday's procession and the sight of strangers lining up to honor one man's service was a reminder of where he hopes his future will lead.